This term we will be looking at Antarctica! Our focus shall be on non-fiction texts and the properties of this style of book, to help us try and find out as much as we can about Antarctica, the animals that live there and the climate.

As part of our Writing work, we will be learning how to form our sentences correctly with the correct punctuation, using adjectives, verbs and nouns. With a focus on non-fiction texts, we shall find out as many facts as we can about Antarctica and emperor penguins, as well as looking at the features of non-fiction textbooks.
We will then be writing about Antarctica and emperor penguins using the facts that we have learned to create an information guide for someone. After this we will be transferring the facts we have learned and using them to create a penguin story.

As part of our Maths work, we shall be looking at multiplication and division.

We shall be looking at repeated addition and adapting these sums into multiplication sums (e.g. 2+2+2=6, 3x2=6).

We will also be grouping/sharing amounts to show how to divide a number by a given number.

After this we will begin to look at statistics and how to record data i.e. tally charts, pictograms, block diagrams. We look be using these charts to record our data and also read these different types of chart to find out information and use it to help answer questions.

Before the end of February half term we shall begin to look at the properties of shapes (2D & 3D). We will be looking at the difference between these shapes and the various properties that they have such as how many faces, vertices and edges they have. As well as looking at the lines of symmetry that shapes have.

In Geography we will be looking at the climate, with a focus of hot and cold countries, as well as animals that live in different parts of the World.

In Science we will be focusing on habitats and how these are suited to various animals needs.

A few reminders and things you may need to know:

Please bring a water bottle into school every day – make sure these are kept upright with the lids on tight when you bring them into school as we tend to have a lot of leaks if not! Please don’t put them into your red reading bags!

Reading books and reading records should be brought into school every day too. In Year 2, it is the children’s’ responsibility to change their own reading book when needed. Class teachers will hear the children read on a weekly basis as part of group guided reading session and will change book levels when appropriate. Please can we ask that children read with an adult at home every day and engage in lots of discussion about whatever book they are reading. This is really important to help children further improve their comprehension skills.

PE Days are a Tuesday and a Thursday. Please ensure that children have their full PE Kit in school on these days. Children who have their ears pierced need to have earrings removed on these days.

Spellings will be tested weekly. The children will bring home a list of spellings for the half-term during the first two weeks. Please help children to learn their spellings whenever possible.

Mathletics – The children will all be given a log on to use Mathletics whenever they like at home. Class teachers will ensure that appropriate work is available on Mathletics in order to consolidate the learning we have been doing at school.

Other than regular reading, spelling and Mathletics – no other formal homework tasks will be set. If children would like to explore our topic in more detail, then we have suggested some different learning opportunities below. Please feel free to bring any completed tasks into school so we can share and celebrate them.

Homework ideas

* Research Antarctica

* Go to the library and find book about Antarctica, the Arctic and animals that live there

* Make a junk model penguin

* Make a small world Antarctica box

* Look at a globe and find Antarctica

* Look at a map and find Antarctica

* Bring in things to display

* Bring in penguin books to share

* Write a poem about Antarctica or an animal that may live there

* Write a story about a penguin

* Using your senses write what you might hear, see, smell, taste and feel in Antarctica

* Can you find any 3D shapes in your home?

* Can you find any 2D shapes in your home?

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Embracing the fullness of life, embedded in a Christian ethos of caring and sharing.